Kanazawa Wagasa: The Ultimate Functional Beauty Born from the Local Climate

The city of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture has a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year and heavy snowfall in winter. The main characteristics of the wagasa (traditional Japanese umbrellas) made in this region are their sturdiness and beauty. We interviewed the owner of the only remaining shop that specializes in making Kanazawa wagasa. 

The most notable characteristic of Kanazawa wagasa is the combination of beauty and outstanding sturdiness that enables them to withstand the weight of rain and snow. At the peak of this craft, there were more than one hundred wagasa shops in Kanazawa, but today just one remains: Matsuda Wagasa, established in 1896. The store’s third generation owner, Matsuda Shigeki, and his three apprentices perform all operations required to make a Japanese umbrella, except a few special components.

Wagasa making is practiced in various regions throughout Japan. Especially, Kanazawa wagasa is known as the features of sturdy, elegant, and magnificent. The local climate is distinguished not only by frequent rains, but also by wet and heavy snowfall, so Kanazawa wagasa are made solid enough to withstand the weight of the heavy snow, and yet beautifully crafted to the smallest detail. 

The sturdiness of wagasa is embodied in the key elements of its structure: the umbrella frame and the Japanese paper (called "kasagami") that is attached to it. Made of bamboo, the umbrella frame is crafted strong and solid, with no effort to make it slender. Also, thick Japanese paper is used as kasagami. The craftsman attaches the paper to the frame, making sure that it is not too tightly stretched, paying particular attention to the center of the umbrella, where four layers of paper are affixed.

The elegance of wagasa is embodied in the geometric chidori-gake (zigzag) pattern of variously colored threads woven together on the inside, just above the head, visible when the umbrella is opened (see photo). Chidori-gake has a practical purpose of strengthening the inner bamboo frame that supports the umbrella, but it is also designed to be aesthetically pleasing. So, although it serves as reinforcement, chidori-gake has decorative design properties and reflects the craftsman’s hope that, even on rainy or snowy days, the sight of the beautiful combination of colors on the inside of the wagasa will cheer up its owner. The edges are sewn with a process called koito-gake which reinforces the umbrella and gives an elegant look to the thread patterns.

So Kanazawa wagasa are distinguished by functional beauty born from the practical necessity of creating a reinforced structure tailored to the local climate. At the same time, the elegance and magnificence of the overall design when the umbrella is opened is another attractive feature. “Today, we are not restricted by traditional standards for beauty of form, and proactively collaborate with artists across various fields. For instance, we commission artisans of Kaga Yuzen*, a technique originally used for kimono, to paint drawings on the umbrellas,” says Matsumoto Yoshiko, an artisan at Matsuda Wagasa. Currently, 90% of all Kanazawa wagasa buyers are people residing outside Ishikawa Prefecture and customers from overseas. As a traditional craft, wagasa have powerful artistic appeal.

Wagasa are finished by coating the kasagami with vegetable oil (perilla oil), which gives the paper unique translucency. When the Kanazawa wagasa is opened and viewed from the inside, the patterns painted on the paper right above the chidori-gake colorful threads shine through like a stained glass window. Hold it up in the rain to enjoy the soft and warm sound of raindrops that only an umbrella made of sturdy Japanese paper can make. Kanazawa wagasa offer a blend of strength and beauty that needs to be seen in person to be truly appreciated.

* Kaga Yuzen is a fabric-dyeing technique used mainly in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The technique was established in the mid-17th century. It is characterized by hand-painted realistic patterns of plants and flowers. (For more information, see)